汚きたない手てを使つかう

Meanings

1

expression, godan verb (-u)

play a dirty trick; use underhanded methods; hit below the belt

Idiomatic expression for acting dishonestly or unfairly, especially in competition or conflict. Often implies a deliberate, sneaky tactic.

彼かれは選せん挙きょで汚きたない手てを使つかって勝かった。
He won the election by using dirty tricks.
そんな汚きたない手てを使つかうなんて、許

ゆる

せ

ない

。

I can't forgive you for using such underhanded methods.

Written forms

汚きたない手てを使つかう
Standard kanji-kana mixed spelling for this expression.
きたない手てを使つかう
Kana spelling for 汚い is common in informal writing.

Kanji

汚dirty, pollute, disgrace
手hand
使use, send on a mission, order

Similar words

ずるい
ずるい is an adjective meaning 'sly' or 'unfair', while 汚い手を使う is a verbal phrase describing the act of using dishonest tactics.
卑ひ怯きょうな手しゅ段だん
卑怯な手段 is a noun phrase meaning 'cowardly means', often used in similar contexts but more formal and less idiomatic than 汚い手を使う.

Etymology

The expression combines 汚い (dirty, unclean) with 手 (hand, method) and 使う (to use), literally 'to use dirty hands'. It is a figurative idiom for employing dishonest or unfair tactics.